Senate gives bars more latitude for ‘infused’ drinks

DES MOINES - Iowa bartenders and restaurateurs would be able to mix and store “infused” drinks for up to 72 hours under legislation approved Tuesday.

Senators voted 48-2 to approve the bill and send it to the House after adopting prohibitions on blending alcohol with hallucinogenic elements or stimulants, such as caffeinated or energy drinks and disallowing the “re-bottling” of infused drinks in original liquor containers.

Infused drinks blend spirits such as vodka, gin and tequila with ingredients such as spices, herbs, fruits, vegetables or candy. Under current law, bars and restaurants are not allowed to keep such “infused” liquors or mixed drinks for more than 24 hours.

“This is solving a problem,” said Sen. Rick Bertrand, R-Sioux City, who floor managed the bill designed to establish rules and guidelines supported by the Iowa Restaurant Association and other affected businesses while addressing concerns raised by state regulators. “It's a good bill. It makes sense.”

However, Sen. Steve Sodders, D-State Center, who also is a county deputy sheriff, said the bill was fraught with problems and underlying concerns.

“I think once we allow bartenders to start mixing drinks for two or three days and being able to keep that and put it behind the shelf, who knows what they'll put in it?” Sodders said. “They could put narcotics in it, they could put other things in it and serve that to their patrons.

“There's no regulation on this. No one goes in to check what goes into these bottles. What's mixed in could be ephedrine, it could be pseudoephedrine, it could be a narcotic, it could be a date-rape drug – I think this is a problem for young people going into these bars and drinking this stuff,” added Sodders, who joined Sen. Dick Dearden, D-Des Moines, in opposing the measure.

Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Waterloo, said none of the concerns raised by Sodders during floor debate were voiced by law enforcement groups in the vetting process. He said state regulators were comfortable they could administer the proposed changes and there would be an opportunity to alter provisions in the House if the issues proved to be legitimate.